This would be the time where everyone would begin clapping IF I were in an addict support group.

I wish I was back out there in the real world, the ‘working’ world. I need a job and I need to stop being reminded, everyday, of how job-less and broke I really am.

Yesterday, one of my good friends, but I don’t want to say any names, ROLO, asked me to be his fashion advisor and go with him to buy a sports jacket that he needed for next weekend. Since I was home, had nothing to do and nowhere to go, I decided to accept the invitation. Little did I know that this outing would take six, almost seven, hours and would cross city limits.

Noon: we went to eat lunch in the Lake Worth area. 1 p.m.: went to Kohl’s. 1:30-ish: walked over to Marshall’s. 2 p.m.: walked back, in the HUMID weather, to the truck and headed towards Northeast Mall. 2:20-ish: made a pit stop to pump some gas. 2:30: drove by the mall and almost died while pulling into a parking lot’s exit by the creek.

2:32-3:15: spent some time in a men’s clothing store being hounded by a very aggressive sales guy. 3:15 : walked out without buying anything. I refuse to let my friend give them an arm and a leg for a jacket he will probably only wear once.

3:15-4:45-ish: drove to Arlington to find a K and G store that, by the way, had been closed because of the shooting of a manager by a disgruntled female employee, according to a guy who worked at the Sears outlet we luckily stopped at for location reference. That “source” deserves a medal because he guided us to the closest K and G store. 5 – 6:25 p.m.: finally arrived at the hard-to-find store and waited for him to find the “right” sports jacket. After finding the right jacket, I looked for some shirts to go with it and then I proceeded to wait again until he tried them on and I gave my opinion, showed him to the register and finally, I took a breath of fresh air.

I felt like I was trapped inside retail jail for the whole day and was then released early for good behavior, like I was an addict made to sit in a room full of drugs without being able to try any of them, like a broke alcoholic in a liquor store.

Oh, the torture of being broke and having to go shopping knowing that you can’t buy anything and purses and shoes galore! Hey, at least I got a meal out of it and my good deed for the day was done.

Disclaimer: Times are NOT accurate, I don’t think, except the start and end times.

Hi. I’m Virginia (Vee) and I am an unemployed journalism graduate from the University of North Texas. Not having a job is difficult and I know it is because of the bad economy, or so I like to think, but I am hoping things turn around SOON!! So if ... Continue reading →